Washington Supreme Court Revives 2 Negligence Claims Against Tacoma in Fatal Police Shooting Case
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Law · Sep 4
Washington Supreme Court Revives 2 Negligence Claims Against Tacoma in Fatal Police Shooting Case
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Law · Sep 4
Summary
Washington’s highest court reversed an appellate ruling and let plaintiffs amend their complaint to add negligent retention claims against the City of Tacoma.
The court said negligent retention and vicarious liability are separate causes of action, so both can be pleaded in the same lawsuit.
That holding means the negligent retention claims can proceed even if the officers involved in the fatal shooting were acting within the scope of their employment.
The ruling keeps broader theories of city liability alive in litigation stemming from the fatal police shooting.